# How should I configure environment variables for separate deployments?

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HELP CENTER · FAQ Hosting 1 min read
# How should I configure environment variables for separate deployments?
Treat each deployment environment as an explicit configuration boundary. Development, preview, and production may need different endpoints and credentials; keeping those values scoped correctly prevents test traffic from reaching production systems and reduces accidental secret exposure.
IaGenify
Hosting

## Separate public settings from secrets
Only values intended for browser code should use the framework's public-variable mechanism. Database credentials, signing keys, and private API tokens must stay server-side and should be stored in the hosting provider's protected environment configuration.
Use distinct credentials and services for nonproduction environments where possible. This limits the impact of a preview leak and allows test data to be reset without affecting live users.
## Check scope and rotation
Confirm whether a variable applies to all deployments, only a named environment, or a particular branch or preview. After changing a value, create or restart a deployment as required by the hosting platform; existing processes may keep their original environment.
Rotate exposed credentials at the issuing service, update the hosting configuration, and redeploy. Avoid printing values in logs; verify presence and expected format without echoing the secret itself. [← Back to Hosting FAQs](https://help.iagenify.com/faqs/hosting)